Week Calendar

February 10 Topic:

Learn Genealogy research through Ancestry, Heritage Quest, etc.  Students need names, dates, and locations of people to be researched on the databases.  Bring your own thumb drive for articles to be printed.

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

SHINE counselors provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling to Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers and those soon to be eligible.

Free unbiased counseling for Medicare from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

For Medicare appointments call the Elder Help Line at 1-866-413-5337 to request a referral to a SHINE Medicare Counselor.  

Children and tweens can drop-in on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 10am-7pm and make a Valentine's Card.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The name is shared by a national civic-education program, briefing book and television series administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association.

Join us for stories,songs,rhymes,crafts and other fun activities for the whole family!

Please join us on the 2nd Monday of the month for adult coloring.  We supply the coloring pages and pencils.

When it comes to dementia caregiving, knowledge is power. Join us for a series of interactive educational classes to help you build your caregiver tool kit.

Librarian Charlotte Thompson leads a monthly book discussion group. 

The Literacy Council of Sarasota - 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class

Registration required through The Literacy Council of Sarasota.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library's front desk.

This class is designed for anyone who has the desire to learn to create beautiful lettering.  No previous experience is required.  The student will work on both upper and lower case lettering and then learn layout so that he/she will be

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees? Need a plant or insect identified? Homeowners can receive research-based lawn, landscape and pest management help from the University of Florida.

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees?

Need a plant or insect identified?

Drop in to receive research-based lawn, landscape and pest management help from the University of Florida.

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

A Reference Librarian will be available for help with e-books, computer basics, or questions about your electronic devices. Reserve a 30-minute session today by calling 941-861-1207 or by signing up at the Reference Desk.

Tax help. 

Please note AARP volunteers at the library begin assisting the final client of the day 30 minutes to one hour before the last time listed.

Children and tweens can drop-in on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 10am-7pm and make a Valentine's Card.

Sign Language program for children 0 - 2 1/2 years old. Learn with Beebo the Signing Bear using songs, books, and toys. Older siblings welcome.

Fun To Be Fit Kids is a music and movement program for children and their caregivers to attend together.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators.

Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Books, puppets, songs, dance and more surprises to get your child excited and prepared for school. Recommended for ages 3-5. Younger siblings are welcome to join. 

Friends of the Selby Public Library invites you to their monthly book presentation and discussion.

Introductory class to learn how to research your family genealogy online through Ancestry and Heritage Quest. Bring along your family names, dates and locations of your ancestors. 

For people who want to improve their French speaking skills and enjoy reading French-language articles and discussing them. Come practice speaking the romantic language of French.

Tax help. 

Please note AARP volunteers at the library begin assisting the final client of the day 30 minutes to one hour before the last time listed.

Children and tweens can drop-in Wednesday between 10am-4pm and make a Valentine's Card.

Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that include music and movement, books, crafts, and educational activities.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Who should attend:  Anyone who has questions about flood risks, zones, insurance regulations and pending map changes: especially residents, professional lenders, insurance agents and realtors.

Learn to knit or crochet! All ages and skill levels welcome! It is recommended to bring your own yarn and needles. Instructor-supplied yarns remain with the instructor weekly until piece is completed.

January 8 – The Orfeo Trio, Julie Bees, piano; Evgeny Zvonnikov, violinist; and Leonid Shukaev, cellist

January 15 -- The Evolution of Opera,    Joy McIntyre

January 22 – Puccini’s La Bohème,   Joy McIntyre

Self-guided time in the Creation Station. use our Adobe/ Mac software, sewing machines, craft supplies and more for your own personal projects. 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library's front desk.

Early literacy begins at birth. Bond with your baby through stories, songs, parachute time and peek-a-boo scarf songs.

For ages 0-1.

Come and socialize with fellow knitting, crocheting and sewing enthusiasts! All levels welcome. Bring your current project to work on.

 Ask Bob, our local Windows expert, any questions about your PC or Laptop.

Tax help. 

Please note AARP volunteers at the library begin assisting the final client of the day 30 minutes to one hour before the last time listed.

SHINE can assist you with Medicare and health insurance questions. Ask about Financial Assistance Programs to help lower your Medicare costs. A SHINE counselor will be here to meet with you! Appointments suggested.

Children and tweens can drop-in on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 10am-7pm and make a Valentine's Card.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

This hour-long class is meant to equally balance your mind and body, while introducing or deepening knowledge of mindful meditation, breath work, and body alignment.  It is designed for any person regardless of age, body type, disability, gen

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

The Short Story Discussion group meets the second Thursday of each month. Readings will be from "The Best American Short Stories of the Century" (expanded edition, 1999), edited by John Updike.

For infants to five years, attending with caregiver. The storytime includes simple stories, nursery rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and crafts. Space is limited to 80 people. Free tickets are available at the youth desk beginning at 10 a.m.

Featuring great stories, singing, dancing, and movement activities young children learn valuable skills and enjoy being with other children.

For ages 1-3.

Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness.  For children ages 0-5. 

The Literacy Council of Sarasota - 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class

Registration required through The Literacy Council of Sarasota.

Prescription Medication & Health Care Assistance for those that are uninsured and qualify financially.

Join American Sewing Guild teacher Kathy for an afternoon of machine sewing, sharing and creativity. Drop in with your works-in-progress or use our fabric stash and sewing books to start something new.

Weekly meeting of the Venice French Club. 

Research your family genealogy online through Ancestry and Heritage Quest.  Bring along your family names, dates and locations of your ancestors.  Computers are provided.

Children and tweens can drop-in Wednesday between 10am-4pm and make a Valentine's Card.

For 18 month to 5 years and caregivers. Interact with your child with a variety of crafts.

This month's theme is Valentine's Day!

Learn to speak common Spanish phrases in a fun, relaxed environment.  This 6 week course is designed for adult beginners who have little or no background in Spanish.  You will learn Spanish vocabulary for meeting other people and gr

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Preschoolers, ages 2 ½ - 5 and their parent, guardian or caregiver are invited to join us for stories, songs, finger plays, rhymes, and crafts. There is a different theme every week.

Bring your iPhone or iPad to this class as we delve into one of the apps on your device: Camera.

We will explore some of the many options within the Camera app. Questions about Camera as well as other apps welcome as time allows.

Join us for a friendly philosophic conversation each month. Socrates Café are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the central theme of

Self-guided time in the Creation Station. use our Adobe/ Mac software, sewing machines, craft supplies and more for your own personal projects. 

AARP is providing free tax help. It is requested that taxpayers bring photo ID, their Social Security card (or SSA 1099), and documentation to support their income and deductions. Visit the Shannon Staub Reference Desk to make appointments.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library's front desk.

Drop-in breastfeeding support and education will be offered at no charge by a trained peer counselor from Healthy Start Coalition with the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness for mothers.

Volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide Program will be available for free individual tax preparation and e-filing. Any age/income level welcome. Please bring a photo ID (required), and any other documents that apply.

Use sharpies on coffee filters and watch how patterns change with water and other substances.

Isha Kriya is a simple 12-18 minute practice to help you become effortlessly meditative. It does not require previous experience with meditation, and each one hour session is designed for beginners and can be done sitting in a chair.

Meet new friends and chat with other parents and caregivers while your kids play and read in the picture book area. Enjoy a place to chill after walking around the Downtown Farmers Market!

Practice speaking English! Sponsored by the Literacy Council of Sarasota. Please call 941-955-0421 to register as an ESOL learner with the Literacy Council of Sarasota.

Learn to code and start making your own website. Attendance at all sessions is suggested in order to complete the projects. Seven computers will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Bring your own laptop if possible.

Learn to code in a variety of languages through the nationally recognized "Girls Who Code" program. Middle and high school girls will complete their own parts of a joint project that benefits the community. Not interested in coding? Our 11 a.m.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Drop in for assistance using library technology including e-Books and audiobooks from Overdrive/Libby, Cloud Library, and Hoopla.

Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Engage babies newborn to 18 months with movement to music, singing, rhymes and basic sign language to enhance social interaction and language development. Playtime follows.

Friendly informal book discussions, newcomers welcome!

For parents and babies ages birth to seven months old.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Join us for a fun-filled morning of reading, songs, dancing, learning kindergarten readiness skills and craft activities.

For ages 3-5.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Hola! Come and learn basic conversational Spanish with instructor Dan Duffy. This class is for persons who know little or no Spanish. Mr. Duffy is a winter resident of Englewood and a career educator.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. 

Come build, experiment, and create with our 3D printer, laser cutter, sewing machines, and more. Bring your own projects for development, prototyping, and production, or start something new. 

Volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide Program will be available for free individual tax preparation and e-filing. Any age/income level welcome. Please bring a photo ID (required), and any other documents that apply.

Join us for our monthly family movie, Gnomeo & Juliet (rated G) in the Storytime Room.

Chess lovers meet and play chess with other chess lovers. All skill levels are welcome.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library's front desk.

Explore a selection of Creation Station tech, and create a different project each week!

Explore a different Creation Station Experience each week!

This week, we will be learning how simple circuits work and create a Valentine message that lights up!

All ages welcome.

The 1-3 p.m. genealogy classes require completion of one of the introductory classes given from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the advertised dates.  The advanced afternoon classes include one-on-one assistance in genealogy research.

Interested in genealogy or building your family tree? Let us help! Visit our genealogy volunteer for one-on-one assistance. See the Reference Desk for more information.

VPL patrons playing chess and teaching the game to others

Open time for questions, sharing solutions

Bring your device and library staff will try to answer your questions in an informal group setting.
 

Come get advice and help with how to use your electronic gadgets such as cell phones, tablets.  Meet at table in public area near the Reference Desk.  First come, first serve.

Screening of the movie "Denial" as part of the Butterflies of Hope and Remembrance initiative.

Advanced class - Research your family genealogy online through Ancestry and Heritage Quest. Bring along your family names, dates and locations of your ancestors. Completed of Introductory class is required. 

Your facilitator/instructor/guide, Mary Schenkenberg gives an overview of this six-week class:

Socrates Café is a gathering where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the central theme of Socratic teaching; the idea that we learn.

Want to make your own custom clothes, costumes or accessories?

As of 2/11/20, this class is cancelled. Please consider one of the other two Google classes scheduled this month: https://bit.ly/37l5LPm

Learn how to use your device or get basic computer assistance.

One-on-one technology assistance moves you to confidence when accessing electronic resources!

Sarasota County Extension Services Master Gardeners are here to help folks identify plants, flowers, etc. as well as care for them.  Get expert advice on your landscaping needs.

Microsoft Word has several tools to help when you are formatting or changing the look of a Word document. This class will revisit some of the original tools that you may have missed, as well as introduce you to some new ones.

Fairy Garden Workshop. Come and join us as we each create a fairy garden.   We provide the materials, the Master Gardeners provide the gardening know-how, and you provide the imagination! This program is for children 8 to 12.

Jack, The Computer Guy, will explain how your computer works and why it doesn't.

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination. Duplo Blocks are available for younger children. Ages 3-12.

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Join the Death Cafe for monthly support and discussions on death the end-of-life. Visit www.deathcafe.com for more information.

Coffee and snacks provided. 

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

Students must pre-register for this special program, seating is limited.  Students must attend all four sessions.  Register at: tinyurl.com/sattestcourse
 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. 

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, play games, and more.

Come to the teen room and choose from a variety of board Games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Uno, Scattergories, Scrabble, and more.

 Learn the basics of using your iPad and iPhone. Class will cover the buttons, navigating and understanding the settings menus/options, connecting to the internet, navigating internet menus (Safari), and basic sharing features.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. 

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, play games, and more.

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Come to the teen room and choose from a variety of board Games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Uno, Scattergories, Scrabble, and more.

A variety of writings and speeches will be reviewed and presented by Ed Dwyer, PhD.

Wed 5: Toni Morrison: Beloved: The Novel, The Film and The Real Case of Margaret Garner.

Unfamiliar with your new phone? Here's a hint, if it's not an iPhone, it's an Android. Come learn the basics of setting up and operating smartphones running on Android-based operating systems.

In this intro class, you will learn the fundamentals of sewing, 

from threading the machine to making a straight stitch.

What is Uber and Lyft? What does a ride cost? Is it safe? What do you need to do to take your first ride? We'll answer these questions as well as how to install the app on your smartphone.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns.